NFL Rumors: Chiefs’ Harrison Butker will undergo surgery for knee injury; Posted on IR | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker will undergo surgery on his left knee to shorten his meniscus, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

He will miss at least the next four games after being placed on injured reserve, but is expected to be back for the end of the regular season and the playoffs.

Butker first appeared on the Chiefs’ injury report Thursday after fully participating in training the day before. He reportedly held a limited session, which naturally raised alarm bells about his status.

Unfortunately, he’s been out for at least a month now. It’s a tough blow for the Chiefs considering how well Butker has performed for them. He made 215 of 241 field goals (89.2 percent) with a long of 62, helping Kansas City win three Super Bowls since his arrival in 2017. This year, Butker made 18 of 20 field goals and 21 of -22 extra points.

Shrader, a rookie, played four years at South Florida before transferring to Notre Dame for his senior season. He made 43 of 63 field goals (68.3 percent) and 156 of 158 extra points (98.7 percent). Last season, Shrader was 15 of 22 on field goals, including four goals of 50 or more yards (long of 54).

This season, Shrader played one game with the Indianapolis Colts in place of the injured Matt Gay, scoring all three of his extra points in a 29-27 loss to the Houston Texans on September 8. Shrader didn’t make any field goals.

Gay got his job back after his healthy return, and Shrader landed on the Jets’ practice squad on October 30. Eleven days later he was called to action against the Arizona Cardinals. He was 2-of-2 on field goals from 25 and 44 yards in a 31-6 loss.

Shrader is quickly thrown into the fire with a road race in a rough environment in Orchard Park, New York. The 8-2 Bills have the best chance to dethrone the AFC’s 9-0 Chiefs before the playoffs begin in January. It would have been a tough match, but Shrader will have a big task ahead of him.

The good news is that the current forecast calls for a high of 56 degrees, cloudy skies and light winds, so weather shouldn’t be much of a factor here.

Kickoff is Sunday at 4:25 PM ET.